Did you know, that France has its own Venice? The French Venice you’ll find in the city of Colmar in the Petite Venise district. In this guide, Colmar, France: Best Things to Do and See, I’ll share the highlights and what to see and do. This charming historic district got its name from the romantic canals of the Lauch River, which resemble the Italian Venice. In the Middle Ages, winemakers resided here, using the canals to transport wine into the city.
Today, the city of Colmar is most popular in summer and then during Advent, as it hosts arguably the most beautiful Christmas markets in all of France (and perhaps even Europe).
We were absolutely enchanted by Colmar. Besides the romantic canal, which you can explore by boat, you’ll also find many charming streets lined with colorful half-timbered houses and, of course, a number of great establishments where you can enjoy excellent food and coffee.
Christmas Markets in Colmar
The Christmas markets in Colmar begin at the end of November and usually conclude around December 29th. The city comes alive with an indescribable atmosphere, featuring a total of six different markets spread throughout the historic center.
At the markets, in addition to traditional Alsatian products, you’ll find handicrafts, regional foods, and Christmas decorations. The markets are open from Monday to Thursday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and from Friday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
A special gourmet market and a large Ferris wheel are usually open until January 5th. The most popular markets are directly in Petite Venise, where you’ll also find a mechanical nativity scene and a mailbox for letters to Santa Claus (or rather, Père Noël, which is the French version of Santa Claus).
Colmar, France: Best Things to Do and See
The apartment Les Gites Du Retable is absolutely perfect and located right in the center. Plus, you get free parking if you’re driving to Colmar. It’s clean, cozy, and close to both attractions and a supermarket.
Looking for a hotel with breakfast? If they have availability, I would definitely recommend Villa Élyane, a small hotel in a 1920s villa. But don’t worry about outdated facilities; today it’s a modernly equipped hotel, conveniently located near everything.
Colmar: Sights, Attractions, and Museums
Curious about what you shouldn’t miss in Colmar? Let’s take a look at the most interesting sights, attractions, and other activities you should experience in the French Venice.
Petite Venise – Little Venice
The city’s most popular attraction is the Little Venice district, Petite Venise, where we stroll among picturesque canals and colorful half-timbered houses, the only thing we didn’t like there were the Foie Gras shops.
In the past, the Krutenau district, as it was historically called, was home to winemakers, gardeners, and merchants who used the Lauch River to transport their products.
The district stretches between quai de la Poissonnerie and rue de Turenne. Its half-timbered houses, built between the 14th and 18th centuries, are one of the typical features of Alsatian architecture.
Today, Petite Venise is one of Colmar’s most visited areas, known for its colorful houses, flower-adorned bridges, and peaceful riverside strolls.
Maison Des Têtes – House of Heads
The House of Heads. Yes, you read that right. The facade of this historic building features 106 heads (some look more like spooky masks). Built in 1609, it’s now a hotel. Check out an interesting video.
Maison Pfister
One of the oldest houses in the city is Maison Pfister, which was built in 1537. With its wooden arcades, painted frescoes, and turrets, this place is a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture. Today, you’ll find shops with excellent French wine here, so it’s really advisable to stay in the center…
Unterlinden Museum
If you’re interested in art, you must see the Isenheim Altarpiece at the Unterlinden Museum. It’s a Renaissance masterpiece. Not too keen on historical art? No problem, the museum also has modern art collections, so there’s something for everyone.
Place De L’Ancienne Douane Square
The city’s historic square has a great atmosphere. This square is named after the Ancienne Douane (Old Customs House) building. Here, customs officers once inspected goods flowing through. Today, you can grab a coffee, sit by the fountain, and watch the world go by.
The customs house building (Koïfhus) dates back to the 15th century and served as a warehouse and a place for collecting customs duties on goods flowing into the city.
Saint Martin’s Church
This colossal Gothic cathedral will draw you in with its architecture and inner tranquility. It’s one of the most important religious monuments in Alsace and definitely worth a visit.
Local Wine Tasting
Colmar is the heart of the Alsatian wine region, so it would be a shame not to taste the local wines.
Among the most significant wines you definitely shouldn’t miss are Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Riesling is a dry white wine with subtle mineral notes and fruity aromas. Gewurztraminer, on the other hand, captivates with rich aromas of exotic fruit and spices, making it ideal for spicy dishes. Pinot Gris is full-bodied and opulent, with notes of ripe fruit, honey, and nuts.
Besides traditional white wines, also try the local Pinot Noir and the refreshing Crémant d’Alsace, an excellent sparkling wine. And where to go for a tasting? For example, La Maison des Vins d’Alsace or Cave des Vignerons de Colmar, where you can also buy wines to take home.
Toy Museum
If you’re traveling with kids (or you’re a big kid yourself – who isn’t?), this museum full of old toys and games will entertain you. From old mechanical toys to modern collections – everyone will find something here,
Marché Couvert Market
A covered market where you’ll find everything from fresh pastries to wine and cheese. It’s a paradise for gourmets and the best place to buy souvenirs that won’t just sit on a shelf at home.
You’ll find Marché Couvert in the historic Petite Venise district, specifically at 13 rue des Écoles. Built in 1865, it now houses approximately 20 stalls offering everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, to cheeses, meats, pastries, as well as local Alsatian specialties and seafood. The market is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
Tourist Train
If you’re tired of walking or have kids, hop on the tourist train, the Petit Train Blanc. It’s a bit kitschy, but let’s face it – such a ride is part of visiting a historic city.
This small tourist train will take you on a circular tour of the old town, where you’ll see all the significant landmarks, including Koïfhus, Place Rapp, and the picturesque Petite Venise district. The route is approximately 7 km long and takes about 35 to 45 minutes.
During the ride, you’ll have access to audio guide commentary available in 16 different languages, including Czech.
The train departs every 30 minutes from Place des Martyrs de la Résistance near the Unterlinden Museum, daily from April to October. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver or at the information center. The price for adults is €8, children (6–14 years old) pay €6.
Tip for Advent Season
If you want to experience true romance (even if a bit kitschy, but that’s part of Christmas), during the Christmas season, you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic city center!
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
